Object Details
- Seamans, Mary Elizabeth
- Fay, Julia Ann
- Hobby, Cynthia
- Description
- “Pieced by Cynthia Hobby in her 90th year” is the inscription prominently quilted in the center block of this quilt, a variation of the “Meadow Lily” pattern. The quilt is composed of thirty 12-inch blocks, with a 4-inch border. One pieced block has the quilted name “Emily Seamans,” and another the name “Julia F. Seamans.” In the border are the quilted names: “S H Seamans,” M E Seamans,” “J A H Fay,” and the date “March 1869.”
- Two of the plain blocks include a quilted outline of a small hand; one with “M” for Millie (1865-1956) and the other “J” for Julia (1867-1960). They were the great-granddaughters of Cynthia Hobby. “We can remember reaching over the edge of the quilting frame to have the outlines of our hands made.” (Family information.)
- The quilting was done in 1869 by Mary Elizabeth Hitchcock Seamans (1839-1881) and her sister Julia Ann Fay. Mary married Cynthia Hobby’s grandson, Stephen Harris Seamans, Jr., in 1864.
- Cynthia Husted Hobby was born September 22, 1770. She married Squire Hobby (1766-1811). Cynthia died April 5, 1863 a few years after she pieced this quilt at age 90.
- This family textile document is one of three quilts donated by the same family.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Margaret Seamans Birch
- 1860-1869
- ID Number
- TE.T13543
- catalog number
- T13543
- accession number
- 257115
- Object Name
- quilt
- Physical Description
- fabric, cotton (overall material)
- thread, cotton (overall material)
- filling, cotton (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 82 in x 70 in; 207 cm x 178 cm
- place made
- United States
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Textiles
- Domestic Furnishings
- Textiles
- Quilts
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Quilting
- Record ID
- nmah_556438
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-bd60-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
